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ROBERT R. JOHNSON, PH.D., CFA®, CAIA® TO LEAD THE AMERICAN COLLEGE

BRYN MAWR, PA - August 20, 2014 - The Board of Trustees of The American College of Financial Services today named Robert R. Johnson, Ph.D., CFA, CAIA, as president and chief executive officer beginning October 1, 2014. Dr. Johnson's extensive scholarship, experience in investment management, and results in building global awareness for financial services education make him uniquely qualified to lead the country's largest accredited, non-profit educator dedicated to the financial services profession.

"Dr. Johnson will continue The American College's expansion into broader areas of financial services," said Linda S. Need, CFA®, CFP®, CAP®, Chair of the Board of Trustees at The American College. "The Board conducted an extensive executive search, looking for the right person to take us to the next level. Dr. Johnson stood out from all of the other highly qualified candidates because of his track record of success in leading academics who provide professional education for those in the financial services industry. Dr. Johnson will be an outstanding, transformative leader as The College enters a period of significant growth."

"The reach of this institution is impressive," said Dr. Johnson, "and I am excited about the opportunity to work with The American College professional staff and Board to broaden that influence. Throughout my career I've served at the intersection of academia and financial practice, and The American College is the most effective educator in that space."

"The fields of financial planning, retirement income planning and wealth management will be impacted by the work being done at The American College," said Dr. Johnson. "It is an exciting time to be affiliated with this prestigious institution. Substantial investments are being made in practical scholarship and research. The College will continue to shape the financial services profession, and it will be a privilege to work with talented and dedicated people to lead those efforts in the years ahead."

During the past few years The American College of Financial Services has launched a Ph.D. in retirement and financial planning, the Retirement Income Certified Professional® - a new credential that already has more than 5,000 advisors enrolled - and a CFA exam prep program. The College has a strong array of professional designations, several master's programs, and six Centers of Excellence doing research, building knowledge, and awarding scholarships. This fall The College is concluding a successful $50 million advancement campaign to support the institution's educational excellence, research and scholarship.

Dr. Johnson is the author of multiple books and scholarly articles on portfolio management, asset valuation, wealth management, and monetary policy. He currently serves as Professor of Finance in Creighton University's Heider College of Business and on the board of RS Investment Management. From 1996 to 2011 he held a number of senior executive positions at CFA Institute and has extensive experience with credentialing programs, ethical and professional codes of conduct, and global business expansion. He is co-author of the books Strategic Value Investing, The Tools and Techniques of Investment Planning, and Investment Banking for Dummies. He is also co-author of the forthcoming book Investing by Fed, which is scheduled to be published in December of 2014.

Dr. Johnson is the recipient of the 2013 Alfred C. "Pete Morley Distinguished Service Award from CFA Institute, the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Student Award for Teaching Achievement (Creighton University), and Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year Award at Creighton for three years. He holds the CFA charter, the CAIA charter, a BSBA degree from University of Nebraska-Omaha, an MBA from Creighton University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The American College served 27,500 students last year alone and is the top educator of financial planners and advisors, providing the respected CLU® (Chartered Life Underwriter®), ChFC® (Chartered Financial Consultant®) and RICP® (Retirement Income Certified Professional®) credentials. The American College is also a main provider of education leading to the CFP® (Certified Financial Planner™) certification and has delivered professional education to an estimated 21% of the personal financial advisors, planners, insurance agents, and wealth managers in the United States today.

Michael C. Davidson, MSM, CLU®, CAP®, will continue to serve in his current role as acting president of The College through the end of September.